SW40 LNiB $199, good deal?

[Echo40]

I was buying ammo at my LGS today and they had a SW40, Like New in Box for $199, so I asked to see it then handled it a bit. The trigger felt surprisingly good for a S&W Sigma, given their infamous reputation for having a poor trigger, but then again, I've never handled a Sigma before, so maybe I just set my expectations too low.

At any rate, what I really want to know is if that's a good deal? It certainly seems like it to me, especially considering that a new SD40 runs about $330, and is essentially just an SW40 with an improved trigger and a picatiny rail which replaces the old proprietary rail.

I've been looking for a cheap, relatively lightweight, full-size pistol in .40 S&W or .45 ACP, so obviously the SW40 fits the bill quite nicely.

Oh, and I'm curious whether S&W's Lifetime Warranty applies to used firearms, although that isn't a deal-breaker.

So what's the word, is it as good a deal as it seems?

EDIT: Just got back from the gunshop, where I put the SW40 on layaway. Might seem odd that I didn't just buy it outright then and there, but I was short and don't really need it immediately anyway since it's still too hot to carry a full-size pistol like that. One thing I was a bit disappointed by was that the magazine it came with was a 10 rounder, but oh well, I can always buy a couple of full capacity 14rnd magazines later.

 

[jsbethel]

Oh, and I'm curious whether S&W's Lifetime Warranty applies to used firearms, although that isn't a deal-breaker.

Technically, no it doesn't. However, if you need service, the key is not to volunteer the information to S&W that you're not the original owner.

 

[fmflorida]

That would definitely be a decent deal on that gun. They arent super fancy but they will get the job done.

Depending on your application of course they are fun to shoot, reliable and 40S&W keeps dropping in price at least in my area because no one wants them.

As for the warranty.....Not technically but in my experience dealing with their services twice they never asked and I never volunteered the information.

S&W Customer Service has a pretty good reputation for standing behind their guns and fixing issues.

 

[Echo40]

Fortunately, I don't need anything fancy, just something reliable that will get the job done.

 

[MyDads38]

That sounds like a good deal to me, especially if LNIB. I have an SD40VE and it was my first 40 cal pistol. No issues and shoots like a champ! Accept the pistol for what it is, a SD pistol; not a target pistol. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Echo40]

Well, between the feedback I've received so far in this thread and some research I've conducted on my own in the meantime, I can see no reason not to go right back out tomorrow to buy it.

Based on what I've read, $200 is about what these go for used and it's considered a terrific bargain by most, so unless someone else beats me to it, I'll be heading back to my LGS tomorrow to pick it up.

 

[huthike]

I bought mine new for a lot more than that a long time ago - I wanted a hi cap before the ban became effective. Ah, the old days...my almost 25 year old twins weren’t born yet.

But I digress. Still have it - still a solid gun. Lousy trigger, but overall very good ergonomics in terms of grip feel.

Buy it - you won’t regret it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[panther]

You didn't mention if anything came with it. There's a shop here that would price them at that price, but only if there's no box and only one mag. anything else it will always be at least $250.
They are good solid, reliable pistols and are a bargain at the price.

 

[fmflorida]

I did forget to mention, there are trigger kits for the SD line of pistols. You can pick one up for $30 or less if I recall and its not super intense to do yourself.

That is if you want to improve the trigger, my experience is each one has a unique trigger so some are definitely better than others.

 

[Echo40]

You didn't mention if anything came with it. There's a shop here that would price them at that price, but only if there's no box and only one mag. anything else it will always be at least $250.
They are good solid, reliable pistols and are a bargain at the price.

Nothing more than what it would come with brand new. (i.e. A blue plastic case and 2 magazines.)

But good to know that it's priced so well.

Yep, I'll definitely be picking it up tomorrow, provided that nobody else beats me to it.

 

[vipermd]

I bought my first one 40F shortly after they appeared. I had a friend of a friend who was listed as a S&W armorer and he "cleaned" up the action and it ran fine and was very accurate. Also like the Compacts in 40 and 357 Sig. The Compacts used 14 rd mags and full size sigmas used 15 rd mags. If you look in my albums I had Black Hills Leather build a double shoulder holster for the Sigmas, great for driving, or just those Cold July days in the UP of Mi. I bought my first one back in the pre ban 1994 and did not know about any gun forums that could tell me how "bad" it was. I enjoy them and as a SW revolver shooter for more than half a century the trigger was not bad, but ended up improved. Buy, it, enjoy it! Be Safe

 

[OKFC05]

I sold my last used SW40 for $150, including a custom trigger job that was reliable. If your trigger seems light, it probably has been lightened, and may or may not be reliable with full power ammunition. The original reason for the heavy trigger was the added spring to be sure the sear would reset with full power ammunition. The failure mode when the springs have been removed/ replaced is that the sear does not reset with full power ammo, and it effectively is a single shot.
I wouldn't buy one unless I shot it first with full power 180gr ammo.

 

[Echo40]

Unfortunately, my LGS doesn't have a built-in range, so you can't testfire them prior it buying.
Regardless, I doubt that a trigger job has been done on it. It's still a heavy trigger, just not a "bad" trigger like I was expecting based on hearsay regarding the triggers on Sigma series pistols. The pull reminds me of a DA Revolver trigger, long and heavy, but otherwise smooth with a crisp break.

If it does end up having any trouble with full power 180gr loads, then I'll probably just send it in to Smith & Wesson for service, but I doubt that I'll have to. I mean, what are the odds that someone goofed up the trigger, but then kept it in their safe without ever sending it in for repairs of having a gunsmith work on it until now when the model has been out of production for the better part of a decade? If someone screwed with the trigger and rendered the gun unreliable in the process, then I would imagine that they would have either had it repaired or sold it off already sometime within the past 8 years since the model went out or production.

Either way, time will tell and I'll deal with any problems as they arise. Obviously I knew that I was rolling the dice when I decided to buy a used gun which appeared like new for only $199.

 

[MyDads38]

Unfortunately, my LGS doesn't have a built-in range, so you can't testfire them prior it buying.
Regardless, I doubt that a trigger job has been done on it. It's still a heavy trigger, just not a "bad" trigger like I was expecting based on hearsay regarding the triggers on Sigma series pistols. The pull reminds me of a DA Revolver trigger, long and heavy, but otherwise smooth with a crisp break.

If it does end up having any trouble with full power 180gr loads, then I'll probably just send it in to Smith & Wesson for service, but I doubt that I'll have to. I mean, what are the odds that someone goofed up the trigger, but then kept it in their safe without ever sending it in for repairs of having a gunsmith work on it until now when the model has been out of production for the better part of a decade? If someone screwed with the trigger and rendered the gun unreliable in the process, then I would imagine that they would have either had it repaired or sold it off already sometime within the past 8 years since the model went out or production.

Either way, time will tell and I'll deal with any problems as they arise. Obviously I knew that I was rolling the dice when I decided to buy a used gun which appeared like new for only $199.

Congrats on your new pistol! I have an SD9VE (first striker fired pistol), an SD40VE (first ever 40 cal) and a SD9 FDE, that I just picked up a few weeks ago. The triggers never seemed "bad" to me, since I grew up shooting double action revolvers and carrying them on duty. I shot so well with the 9VE that a range instructor asked me what mods I had done to it. He was shocked when I told him it was all stock-no mods!! They are not target pistols, but accurate for their intended purpose. Mine have been reliable with all types of ammo, factory or reloads (lead, plated, jacketed). Enjoy your new pistol and let us know how she runs.

 

[Echo40]

Just a neat little update.

I e-mailed Smith & Wesson about the release date of my SW40VE a couple days ago and they just got back to me. My SW40VE dates back to 4/14/2004. I knew that it had to be an earlier production run because it came with a plastic clamshell case whereas more recent production runs came in a cardboard box. Interestingly, 09/13/2004 is the date when the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 finally lapsed, which explains why mine came with only a reduced capacity 10 round magazine rather than a full capacity 14 round magazine.

 

[staylor]

Just a neat little update.

I e-mailed Smith & Wesson about the release date of my SW40VE a couple days ago and they just got back to me. My SW40VE dates back to 4/14/2004. I knew that it had to be an earlier production run because it came with a plastic clamshell case whereas more recent production runs came in a cardboard box. Interestingly, 09/13/2004 is the date when the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 finally lapsed, which explains why mine came with only a reduced capacity 10 round magazine rather than a full capacity 14 round magazine.

My SW9VE (inherited from my FIL) had a release date of 4/04 and came with two 10 round mags and the blue box as well. If your looking for 14 round mags for your SW40VE check out CDNN Sports. They have them for 15 bucks. CDNN SPORTS - SMITH WESSON SIGMA SD40 SD40VE 14RD STS MAG

 

[Echo40]

Darn, I actually just bought a 14 round magazine a few days ago off gunmagwarehouse for $20. Oh well, thanks anyway.

 

[panther]

I expected a pic of your lucky find by now. Come on, show off a little.
BTW, congrats.

 

[Echo40]

I expected a pic of your lucky find by now. Come on, show off a little.
BTW, congrats.

I don't have it in my possession yet. The layaway period is 60 days and I'm in no hurry to pay it off since it's still unseasonably warm (it was a low of 75°F today) and thus my current attire would be insufficient to concealed carry the SW40VE.

So I'll probably end up waiting until November to pay it off and take it home. Once I do get it, I'll post pics here.

 

[bubbatime]

Seems you can get a brand new SD40VE with two high cap mags for about $250-$260 on sale several times a year. Considering the $45 you’ll spend on two high cap magazines, in this case it might make sense to just buy the new gun with the better trigger that you know wasn’t tinkered with or modified.

I’ve seen brand new M&P .40 guns brand new in the box with 3 mags for $299 within the last year, even better.